The Cebu Creative Entertainment Council (CCEC) is preparing to present an enhanced proposal to Cebu’s new city officials, aiming to position the city as a leading creative hub in the Visayas with a target to develop the sector into a P30-billion industry by 2030.

Mario Panganiban, president of CCEC, emphasized the creation of a dedicated Creative District, anchored by the “Silver City” development. This project is envisioned as a dynamic live-work-play-and-learn environment designed to support artists, animators, game developers, and other creative professionals. Pending regulatory approval, construction is anticipated to commence in 2026.

"Our core goal is growth. Cebu has the potential to emerge as a premier destination for the creative industry if we continue to build on our achievements," Panganiban stated during the Creative Entertainment Business Forum on August 29, 2025, held at Montebello Villa Hotel as part of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Cebu Business Months.

First introduced in 2023, the initiative gained significant momentum in 2024 when the Cebu City Government actively sought investments for the Creative District. Then-acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia presented the concept as a 150-hectare mixed-use development requiring an estimated infrastructure investment of P10 billion to the Department of Trade and Industry.

The CCEC is now revitalizing the project for renewed endorsement from current city leadership to ensure policy alignment and support. Silver City, the district’s cornerstone, is planned as a 200,000-square-meter mixed-use complex, encompassing studios, shared service facilities, educational spaces, and entertainment venues.

Highlighting Cebu’s growing appeal, Panganiban noted several prominent foreign and domestic companies, including a German game development studio and multiple Manila-based firms, have established operations locally. Additionally, two US studios are scheduled to launch branches soon. He pointed out Cebu’s competitive edge - affordable operating costs, an expanding talent pool, and an attractive lifestyle - as key investment drivers.

"Investing in Cebu means profiting in paradise," Panganiban remarked.

Inspired by the success of Cebu IT Park, the Creative District is set to occupy 150 hectares in the North Reclamation Area, targeting investments in film, design, fashion, and digital arts. The CCEC currently supports seven sectors: animation, game development, original intellectual property, social media, theater, film, and music.

Challenges remain, with funding cited as the primary obstacle. The council is exploring collaborations with financial institutions to encourage venture capital instead of traditional lending. Plans also include establishing shared service centers offering legal, accounting, and IT assistance to support startups.

Panganiban emphasized the importance of consistent governmental incentives comparable to those available in Manila. Although Cebu’s electricity rates are now lower than Manila’s, energy costs still pose concerns for investors. Other challenges include limited mentorship opportunities and overcoming language barriers in partnerships with Japanese firms.

To cultivate a stronger workforce, CCEC is enhancing partnerships between academia and industry to better align educational programs with market needs. To address brain drain, the council is promoting a "brain gain" initiative to attract Filipino creatives overseas with competitive salaries, indicating early feedback from expatriates showing willingness to return if offered pay within 30-40% of global standards.

Beyond Cebu City, efforts are underway to develop satellite creative hubs in neighboring areas like Danao, Bogo, Carcar, Bohol, Siargao, Ormoc, Dumaguete, and Siquijor, with Cebu envisioned as the central “super hub.”

Despite the challenges, Panganiban remains optimistic: "When we were small, no one noticed us. Now we are gaining recognition in Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan. The key is to maintain our growth trajectory."

With Silver City, strengthened academe-industry collaborations, and financial reforms, the council aims for Cebu to capture a larger share of the global creative economy and emerge as Southeast Asia’s next creative capital.